Brazil's Little Germany & Wine Route

This 12-day itinerary will take you along picturesque towns of German heritage and the Italian-rooted wine traditions in Brazil. You will visit 4 states: Espirito Santo, Sao Paulo, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. This is a cultural and gastronomic program full of surprising discoveries. This circuit is also interesting from the point of view of immigration. Learn about the story of families who have built a community in a totally new part of the world. Discover if, perhaps, some of the culture which vanished in Europe has been preserved here. Hike to Pedra Azul in Espirito Santo, take the cable-car and walk on the SkyGlass in Parque do Caracol, enjoy the fairy tale atmosphere in Gramado and Campos do Jordao during Christmas, sing and dance along locals at Oktoberfest in Blumenau, cycle along vineyards in Serra Gaucha and so much more. Taste Brazilian wines and beers, both from renowned producers and from small wine & beer-makers. The program is an excellent choice for those who like history and cultural experiences, for families travelling with children, a group of friends or couples, as well as for senior travellers. Stay in charming inns with a lot of comfort along the whole journey. This program can be adapted to you: it can be done the other way around or in a different sequence, depending on the flights and your availability. We can tailor this itinerary to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities.

12 Days – From £3,500 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Domingos Martins, Campos do Jordão, Blumenau, Pomerode, Gramado, Canela, Nova Petropolis, Bento Goncalves

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double/twin room
Accommodation with breakfast (more hotels HERE)
All the excursions mentioned in the itinerary
All transfers by car on a private basis
Entrance & guiding fees to all the mentioned National Parks
All mandatory local taxes

Excluded

Visa, where applicable
International Flights (See Flights to Brazil)
Domestic Flights
Personal Expenses
Insurance
Tips & Gratuities
Meals not mentioned in the description.

Flights

International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to book the flights yourself, use miles and choose your preferred airline, and if you are stuck we can help you find the right connections. Return flights to Brazil start from £800 per person, depending on the connections and time of the year. Fly to Sao Paulo (GRU) or to Porto Alegre (POA).

For families and groups (starting with 5 pax), we can book domestic flights in Brazil, during the high season, and if the trip is part of a more complex itinerary. This is to ensure a seamless travel and no complications.

How to Book

Send us an email to check availability, discuss your preferences and get a quote.

This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor it to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added. Other hotels can be chosen, according to your liking. You can also combine this trip with other sights in Brazil, like the cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro, the exciting Amazon rainforest, the fascinating Pantanal or the deep canyons of the south. For more travel inspiration check our Brazil Itineraries.

When to Visit

Best time to visit: year round. It is best to avoid February and the weekends when it is very crowded.

Domingos Martins & Pedra Azul: between late April and early October, when the chance of rain is lower than in the rest of the year.
Campod do Jordao – year round, July to August for winter festivals
Blumenau: April to December. From January to February it is rainy, usually in the late afternoon. June, October and January is the time of festivals.
Serra Gaúcha – year round, but best from June to August. December to March is very muggy. January to March is the harvest time.

To avoid unpleasant weather surprises, we recommend to check our Brazil Weather Guide to plan your trip in the right season. Click on the month you want to travel in and see the tours which are best for each month of the year.

Day 1 - Domingos Martins

Take a flight to the capital of Espírito Santo, Vitoria. Here you will be met and transfered to the charming village of Domingos Martins in the mountains (1 hour). At the beginning of the 19th century and later on, several waves of German and Italian immigrants came to Brazil. To survive in an unknown land, the new settlers created communities that kept their original customs to this day. The German-Italian heritage is preserved in the local architecture, folkloric festivals, traditions and gastronomy of this beautiful region. Have a cold beer in traditional breweries and eat well-kept recipes at local restaurants. Overnight at Sesc de Domingos Martins.

Day 2 - Pedra Azul

Early in the morning, transfer to Pedra Azul (1 hour away), the postcard of Espírito Santo, a granite rock of 1,822 m. Hike along Rota do Lagarto trail which will take you around the stone to enjoy views the 3 parks: Pedra Azul, Forno Grande and Pico da Bandeira. The surroundings will make your heart skip a beat, hearing the birds. The park has many endemic orchids and bromeliads – it really feels like a paradise. Stop to swim in natural pools in the middle of the rocks. After the hike, spend an afternoon in the charming town of Venda Nova do Imigrante (30 min away). Taste the original Socol, the luxurious Jacu coffee and lavender ice cream. Overnight at Aroso Paço Hotel.

Day 3 - Campos do Jordao

Today return to Vitoria (1,5 hours) and take a short flight of 1h 25min to Sao Paulo, where you will be met and transferred to Campos Jordão, a small town nestled in the peaks of the Montiqueira Mountains (2 hours). This charming place has Swiss-style architecture being surrounded by pine forests and mountains. During the Brazilian winter time – June, July, and August – it gets colder and one can enjoy a delicious fondue. In addition to the traditional cheese and chocolate fondues, the meat fondue is also popular. Walk on the picturesque streets of Vila Capivari, the gardens of Amantikir Park and the open air museum of Felicia Leirner. Overnight at Hotel Serra da Estrela.

Day 4 - Campos do Jordao

Today is the time for scenic outdoors in Serra da Mantiqueira, near São Bento Do Sapucaí (1 hour away). Spend the time in nature, hiking on beautiful trails with spectacular lookouts. Take trail of a moderate difficulty to Mirante da Pedra do Bauzinho, Pedra do Bauzinho, Pedra do Baú and Pedra Ana Chata (2 hours / 4-5 km). After the trek, in the evening, it is the time for romance or meditation, when the sunset brings magic and tranquility. Enjoy a gourmet picnic with local delicacies and wine. These will be truly special, private and unique moments. Overnight at Hotel Serra da Estrela.

Day 5 - Blumenau

Today you will be transferred back to GRU (2 hours) and take a short flight to Itajai Airport (NVT). You will be met on arrival and transferred to the charming city of Blumenau (1 hour). Founded by a pharmacist from Saxony-Anhalt in 1850, the city guards its German roots in every little detail. Enjoy the architecture of Vila Germânica and wander along Rua XV de Novembro, one of the most beautiful streets in Brazil. Blumenau hosts the biggest Oktoberfest outside Germany, with beer, sauerkraut and lederhosen. Over 500,000 people visit the city during the three-week long annual festival. After lunch, continue to he nearly Itoupava Village, an agricultural colony that preserves German customs and traditions. Overnight at Hotel Steinhausen Colonial.

Day 6 - Pomerode

Today visit Pomerode, another town of German heritage in Brazil, located nearby Blumenau. The first immigrants who settled here were from the northern German province of Pomerania. It is considered the most German city in Brazil, as 70% of its population still uses Germanic customs and dialects. There are several gastronomic and folkloric festivals along the year, which bring a lot of joy, folk dancing and traditional food. Take a cycling tour along Rota do Enxaimel, passing by many beautiful half-timbered houses. One has the feeling of stepping back in time, as if transported to the last century in Germany. Overnight at Hotel Bergblick.

Day 7 - Gramado

Today transfer back to Itajai airport (NVT) and fly to Caixas do Sul (CXJ) where you will be met and transferred to the picturesque town of Gramado, located in the dreamy wine-making region of Serra Gaúcha (1,5 hours). You will see German and Italian heritage everywhere: the streets are lined with alpine chalets and chocolatiers. Take a walking tour of the city, visiting Casa do Colono, Lavanda Park, Snowland, Wax Museum and much more. Gramado gets beautifully decorated during Christmas and it is a really wonderful to be here during December. Overnight at Jangal das Araucárias.

Day 8 - Canela

Today depart to the nearby town of Canela. In the city visit the gothic Catedral de Pedra with its 12 bronze bells and Castelinho Caracol, one of the first German houses in the region. Then, head towards the outskirts of Canela and explore the nature hiking trails of Parque do Caracol. Take the cable car at Da Serra Park, which is located in the midst of exuberant nature, between mountains and valleys, with a unique view of Caracol Waterfall. Later, head to the nearby SkyGlass, a glass bridge hanging over a high cliff, the only one in kind in Latin America. The platform advances 35 meters over the valley of Cai River. Overnight at Jangal das Araucárias.

Day 9 - Nova Petropolis

Today take a cycling tour to Nova Petrópolis, a peaceful, authentic and welcoming city of German and Italian settlers. Take a journey through the aromas of ingredients, textures, stories and flavors of the region. Visit Praça das Flores and Aldeia do Imigrante and the Green Labyrinth and some of the shops with handicrafts, cheese, wine, knitwear, leather, crystals, and chocolate. Continue to Cervejaria Edelbrau for beer tasting, to Casa Sander in Nove Colônias for jam and cookies tasting or have lunch at one of the traditional restaurants. After lunch, head to Parque do Panelão which has an impeccable view of the region. Overnight at Hotel Jardins da Colina.

Day 10 - Vale dos Vinhedos

Today, head to the town of Bento Goncalves, where the Italian wine-making traditions remain strong and vineyards extend across much of the landscape. Hop aboard the romantic Maria Fumaça train through Vale dos Vinhedos, passing by Garibaldi and Carlos Barbosa. Have lots of fun with music, Italian tarantella dance, wine and cheese tasting! On your return to Bento Goncalves, visit Epopeia Italiana Park to learn about the history of the large Italian community in Brazil. Then continue to the wineries for tasting and dinner, amid stunning landscapes of Serra Gaúcha. Overnight at Pipas do Vale.

Day 11 - Caminho de Pedra

Today cycle along the scenic route called Caminho de Pedra, located to the eats of Bento Goncalves. As if transported to Italy, visit traditional centenary stone and wooden homes of the Italian settlers and taste traditional delicacies from warmhearted people. This gastronomic route is 12 km long, taking in over 25 points of interests, including mills, colonial canteens, homemade pasta house, looms, candy house and much more. The route involves local gastronomy, handicraft products, family wineries, leisure and fun parks. Have lunch at a typical restaurant with wine tasting. Overnight at Pipas do Vale.

Day 12 - Departure to Porto Alegre

After breakfast, transfer by road to Caixas do Sul airport (1 hour). Alternatively, transfer to Porto Alegre airport (1,5 hours). On the way, you will stop in the city of Nova Hamburgo, to visit the historic center with its half-timbered houses. Later, you will be taken to the airport in due time to catch your flight. If you have extra time at hand, we recommend visiting the Brazilian Canyons in the National Park of Aparados da Sera, which is located in the same region, about 2,5 hours drive to the east of Serra Gaucha. It is an area with spectacular landscapes, many hiking trails, and perfect for being out in nature. Alternatively, head to the beach.

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